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MINUTES
OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE JURUPA VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
Thursday, March 5, 2026
The meeting was held at the Jurupa Valley City Council Chamber, 8930 Limonite Avenue, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL FOR CLOSED SESSION:
● Brian Berkson, Mayor
● Chris Barajas, Mayor Pro Tem
● Armando Carmona, Council Member
● Veronica Sanchez, Council Member
● Guillermo Silva, Council Member
Mayor Berkson called the closed session to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. CONVENE TO CLOSED SESSION:
A. PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO CLOSED SESSION ITEMS :
None.
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – PENDING LITIGATION:
The City Council met in closed session with the City Attorney pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) with respect to the following matter of pending litigation: City of Jurupa Valley V. Cortez, et al. (Riverside County Superior Court Case No. CVRI2105001).
C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - POTENTIAL LITIGATION:
The City Council met in closed session with the City Attorney pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) with respect to one matter of potential litigation. A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the City Attorney, based on existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation involving the City with respect to the proposed Wakeland residential project northeast of the intersection of Camino Real and Limonite Ave. (APNs: 185470001, 185470002, 185460001) based on t wo Notices of Potential Violation dated April 24, 2025 and June 24, 2025 from David Zisser, Assistant Deputy Director Local Government Relations and Accountability of the State Department of Housing and Community Development and a letter from Wakeland Development Company dated February 25, 2026. The letters are available for public inspection from the Office of the City Clerk.
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3. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION:
A. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ANY REPORTABLE ACTIONS IN CLOSED
SESSION: Peter Thorson, City Attorney, announced that the City Council approved a stipulated judgement for the City of Jurupa Valley v. Cortez, et al. case.
4. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL FOR REGULAR MEETING:
● Brian Berkson, Mayor
● Chris Barajas, Mayor Pro Tem
● Armando Carmona, Council Member
● Veronica Sanchez, Council Member
● Guillermo Silva, Council Member
Mayor Berkson called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
5 INVOCATION: by Pastor Alejandro Rios, Iglesia Cristiana Nueva Esperanza.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Council Member Carmona.
7. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Council Action : Moved Mayor Pro Tem Barajas , seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried unanimously to approve the agenda, and move Council Business before Public Hearings.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Council Members: Carmona, Sanchez, Silva, Barajas and Mayor Berkson Noes: Council Members: None
Absent: Council Members: None
8. PRESENTATIONS:
A. PET OF THE MONTH
“Griffen” 7-month old Pit Bull Mix that has been at the shelter since August 26, 2025, was introduced to the City Council. Anyone interested in giving Griffen a home is encouraged to contact the City’s Animal Control Services Department at https://www.rcdas.org.
B. UPDATE BY COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE REGARDING THE JURUPA
VALLEY GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT
John Ashlock, Division Manager – Construction for the County of Riverside, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions.
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9. PUBLIC APPEARANCE/COMMENTS:
• Public Comments : Henry Escalera, City resident; and Taunya Kimberly, Rubidoux Mortuary.
10. INTRODUCTIONS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, COUNCIL COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Council Member Carmona announced upcoming monthly Community Clean-up by the Animal Shelter.
Council Member Sanchez announced the installation of a gate on Mission Blvd. next to Stiiizy; and encouraged property owners to file a 602 Form with the Sheriff’s Department to protect them from illegal encampments.
Mayor Berkson announced the installation of stop signs at: Jurupa Avenue and Pyrite Street, Avalon Street and 28th Street, and 63rd Street and Corey Street.
11. CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE:
Rod Butler, City Manager , made the following announcements of upcoming events: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Emergency Training; Santa Ana River Master Plan Workshop; Glen Avon Town Center Plan Open House; and invited the public to take the Homelessness Strategic Plan Survey.
12. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A. FEBRUARY 19, 2026, REGULAR MEETING
Council Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Barajas , seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried 4-0 with Council Member Silva abstaining to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 19, 2026.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Council Members: Carmona, Sanchez, Barajas and Mayor Berkson Noes: Council Members: None
Absent: Council Members: None
Abstain: Council Members: Silva
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13. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE TITLE AND TEXT OF ALL
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA,
APPROVED
B. RESOLUTION NO. 202 6-13 ADOPTED ENTITLED “ A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY OF JURUPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE
REGISTER OF DEMANDS DATED MARCH 5, 2026 ($2,749,841.53), AND
RATIFYING THE REGISTERS OF DEMANDS RELEASED BY THE
FINANCE DIRECTOR FEBRUARY 12, 2026, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2026 ($638,346.30)”
C. QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 2025, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 (FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026), RECEIVED AND FILED
D. ORDINANCE NO. 2026 -03 ADOPTED ENTITLED “ AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF JURUPA VALLEY AMENDING CHAPTER 3.70, WESTERN
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM MITIGATION FEE
PROGRAM, TO ESTABLISH CONSTRUCTION COST INDEX
ADJUSTMENTS AND REVISE THE DEFINITIONS OF “MULTI -FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNIT” AND “SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNIT” TO
THE WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
MITIGATION FEE (TUMF) PROGRAM AND FINDING THIS ORDINANCE EXEMPT FROM CEQA”
Council Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Barajas , seconded by Council Member Silva, and carried unanimously to approve Consent Calendar items A through D.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Council Members: Carmona, Sanchez, Silva, Barajas and Mayor Berkson Noes: Council Members: None
Absent: Council Members: None
14. CONSIDERATION OF ANY ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
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15. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER MASTER APPLICATION (MA) NO. 22248: GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT, CHANGE OF ZONE, TENTATIVE
TRACT MAP, SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF 232 RESIDENTIAL UNITS AND 24,000 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL/RETAIL SPACE WITHIN A 33-ACRE SITE
LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST INTERSECTION OF LIMONITE
AVENUE AND WINEVILLE AVENUE (APNS: 157-250-011, 157-250-013); APPLICANT: DIVERSIFIED PACIFIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC –
PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED TO A DATE UNCERTAIN
• Public Correspondence: Written correspondence from the public has been made part of the administrative record and are posted under the agenda item on the City’s website.
Reynaldo Aquino, Senior Planner, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions. Joe Perez, Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director and Paul Toor, Public Works Director, responded to questions.
Mayor Berkson opened the public hearing and invited public testimony.
• Public Testimony: Nolan Leggio and Matt Jordan, Diversified Pacific Development Group, LLC; Gary Conner, City resident; Cindy Scheirer, City resident; Lisa Lane, City resident Henry Escalera, City resident; Amanda Swager, City resident; Jessica Dominguez, City resident; Randy Reynolds, City resident; Chris Lindholm, City resident; Carlos Rodriguez, Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIA); Rudy Rosas, City resident; Jennifer Fernando, Little Steps Montessori Preschool; Brooks Prior, Jurupa Valley resident; Taylor Prior, City resident; Keeli Mendoza, City resident; Lol o Mendoza, City resident; Heriberto Perez, City resident; Matt Burris, City resident; and Roberto Ramirez, City resident.
B. PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE CITYWIDE CORRIDORS PLAN
Jean Ward, Principal Planner, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions.
Mayor Berkson opened the public hearing and invited public testimony. No public testimony was received. Mayor Berkson closed the public hearing.
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Council Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Barajas , seconded by Council Member Silva, and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2026-16, entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
JURUPA VALLEY APPROVING THE CITYWIDE CORRIDORS PLAN AND
FINDING THE CITYWIDE CORRIDORS PLAN IN CONFORMANCE WITH
CITY OF JURUPA VALLEY GENERAL PLAN AND ADOPTING AN
ADDENDUM TO THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT RE PORT FOR
THE GENERAL PLAN (SCH #2016021025) IN CONNECTION WITH
APPROVING THE CITYWIDE CORRIDORS PLAN.”
Roll Call:
Ayes: Council Members: Carmona, Sanchez, Silva, Barajas and Mayor Berkson Noes: Council Members: None
Absent: Council Members: None
16. COUNCIL BUSINESS:
A. APPOINTMENT TO FILL AN UNEXPIRED TERM ON THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Maria Morris, City Clerk, provided a staff report.
• Public Comments: Maritza Correa, City resident; Maria Gallegos, City resident, and Araceli Ruiz, City resident.
Mayor Berkson nominated Araceli Ruiz to fill the vacancy on the Community Development Advisory Committee.
Council Action: Moved by Mayor Berkson , seconded by Council Member Silva, and carried unanimously to appoint Araceli Ruiz to fill an unscheduled vacancy on the Community Development Advisory Committee for a term expiring in December 2026, or until their successor is appointed and sworn- in, whichever is later.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Council Members: Carmona, Sanchez, Silva, Barajas and Mayor Berkson Noes: Council Members: None
Absent: Council Members: None
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B. DISCUSSION OF THE CASTELLANO TRAIL COMMUNITY MEETING,
AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CRESTMORE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY
Roberto Gonzalez, Principal Planner, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions. Joe Perez, Assistant City
Manager/Community Development Director and Paul Toor, Public Works Director, responded to questions.
• Public Comments: Henry Escalera, City resident.
Council Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Barajas , seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried unanimously to direct staff to design and implement trail and fencing along Tarragona Drive.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Council Members: Carmona, Sanchez, Silva, Barajas and Mayor Berkson Noes: Council Members: None
Absent: Council Members: None
17. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ORAL/WRITTEN REPORTS REGARDING
REGIONAL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
A. MAYOR BERKSON
1. PROVIDED UPDATE ON THE RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS OF FEBRUARY 26, 2026,
AND MARCH 4, 2026.
2. PROVIDED UPDATE ON THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY
26, 2026.
3. PROVIDED UPDATE ON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS POLICY COMMITTEE
MEETING OF MARCH 5, 2026.
4. PROVIDED UPDATE ON THE METROLINK / SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY BOARD OF
DIRECTORS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 27, 2026.
B. MAYOR PRO TEM BARAJAS
1. PROVIDED UPDATE ON THE CALIFORNIA CONTRACT CITIES
ASSOCIATION LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2026.
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2. PRO
VIDED UPDATE ON THE WESTERN RIVERSIDE
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MEETING OF MARCH 2, 2026.
18. COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None.
19. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT: None.
20. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS:
Council Member Carmona asked staff for a progress report on the City’s cameras. 21 . ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Berkson adjourned the meeting at 11:30 p.m. to Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber located at 8930 Limonite Avenue, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509.
Respectfully submitted,
______
______________________
MARIA MORRIS, CITY CLERK
Appr
oved: March 19, 2026